Canadian GP Jaguar qualifying notes

A frustrating Qualifying session for the Jaguar Racing team especially
after the initial promise shown in yesterday's Free Practice
sessions. Both Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa struggled to find a
set-up that allowed them to attack the track...

A frustrating Qualifying session for the Jaguar Racing team especially
after the initial promise shown in yesterday's Free Practice
sessions. Both Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa struggled to find a
set-up that allowed them to attack the track to their s atisfaction
and both experienced problems during their final timed lap. The team
acknowledges that it will be extremely difficult to score points from
fourteenth and fifteenth places on the grid and appreciates the work
ahead of it before tomorrow's race.

Pedro de la Rosa:"We expected more out of Qualifying and at least equalling our pace
from Free Practice. We have, however, worked well today in that the
car has felt better for each run. While these improvements have been
well received, it's clear that we're not quick enou gh yet and that's
why we were so cautious with our predications after Monaco. The new
aero package is certainly an improvement and has helped close the gap
but there's still more work to do before we begin reaping the rewards
of this development. We are cu rrently sitting amongst a very tight
pack and even the smallest gain in performance can translate into a big
jump -- especially during Qualifying sessions. I'm sorry about spoiling
Eddie's last run but I had little choice but to lift or hit the wall. I
simp ly came into the last chicane too fast and unfortunately spoilt it
for myself and Eddie."

Eddie Irvine:"Not a great Qualifying session in any shape or form. My first two runs
were OK but the third was compromised because the anti-stall system cut
in for some reason. My fourth run was good and I was up on my best time
until I came across Pedro at the final c hicane. We were both pushing
hard but Pedro's approach into the final chicane was too fast and he had
to lift in an effort to avoid hitting the wall on the exit. Given that I
was right behind him, I too had little choice but to lift. The Michelin
tyres hav e a lot of work to do here against the Bridgestones and I
hope they perform better in race trim. Fifteenth position on the grid
is not good by our standards but we knew this circuit was going to test
us. It would be unfair at this stage to write off the ne w aerodynamic
package, particularly as it has been working so well in testing. We
need to examine the reasons for our lack of pace and look at ways of
rectifying this before Magny Cours. We have always done a better job in
race trim anyway and assuming we can stay out of harms way tomorrow,
there is still a slim chance of salvaging something from this race."

Bobby Rahal:"We were always guarded after Monaco and it's clear that we still
have a fair undertaking on our hands. The tyres, I believe, played a
critical role today with the Bridgestones having the upper hand. Both
drivers pushed themselves to the limit and it's now up to us to extract
more downforce out of this package before the next race. There have
undoubtedly been improvements with the package and our immediate task
is to adapt it better for the tracks that we are at. Nonetheless, this
race is infamous for retir ements and as long as we can stay away from
trouble, I remain confident, especially when you consider how well we
have performed recently in race trim."